Download Engineering Mechanics by J.L Meriam and L.G Kraige

Engineering mechanics is both a foundation and a framework for most of the branches

of engineering. Many of the topics in such areas as civil, mechanical, aerospace, and agricul-
tural engineering, and of course engineering mechanics itself, are based upon the subjects

of statics and dynamics. Even in a discipline such as electrical engineering, practitioners, in
the course of considering the electrical components of a robotic device or a manufacturing
process, may find themselves first having to deal with the mechanics involved.
Thus, the engineering mechanics sequence is critical to the engineering curriculum.
Not only is this sequence needed in itself, but courses in engineering mechanics also serve

to solidify the student’s understanding of other important subjects, including applied math-
ematics, physics, and graphics. In addition, these courses serve as excellent settings in

which to strengthen problem-solving abilities.

The primary purpose of the study of engineering mechanics is to develop the capacity
to predict the effects of force and motion while carrying out the creative design functions
of engineering. This capacity requires more than a mere knowledge of the physical and

mathematical principles of mechanics; also required is the ability to visualize physical config-
urations in terms of real materials, actual constraints, and the practical limitations which

govern the behavior of machines and structures. One of the primary objectives in a mechan-
ics course is to help the student develop this ability to visualize, which is so vital to problem

formulation. Indeed, the construction of a meaningful mathematical model is often a more
important experience than its solution. Maximum progress is made when the principles and
their limitations are learned together within the context of engineering application.